TNLA Kills Burma Army Major and 2 Soldiers

A TNLA soldier holds an improvised rocket-propelled grenade launcher during a patrol in the mountains of northern Shan State. (Photo: Kyaw Kha / The Irrawaddy)

RANGOON — The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said they were behind the killing of a Burmese battalion commander and two soldiers during an ambush on a vehicle in Kut Khaing Township, northern Shan State, last week.

Ta Pan La, a deputy information officer from the TNLA, said the ethnic Palaung rebel group launched an attack on June 4 in Ta Moe Nye sub-township on a car carrying Maj. Kyaw Htin Aung, acting battalion commander of the Kut Khaing-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 241, and two soldiers.

“Their car was destroyed by our heavy weapons attack. All officers inside the car were killed on the spot. As far as we know, all three people died,” Tan Pa La told The Irrawaddy.

An officer from the Burma Army’s Northern Command confirmed the death of the 36-year-old major and said the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and TNLA had collaborated during the ambush. The officer declined to be named.